Getting what you want out of customer service is hard, but CNN Money reader Michael Brownholz was able to avoid a delayed flight by suggesting his own simple solution instead of waiting for the representative to come up with their own.

In a series spotlighting reader solutions to getting good customer service, Brownholz tells the story of being rebooked on a flight leaving later in the day. Instead of getting mad about the later flight, he mentioned he was close to another airport and the service representative rebooked him immediately. While his example is with an airline, it should work with any type of solution you might need. Solving your own problem isn't exactly the most exciting way to get what you want out of customer service, but as we've mentioned before, if you have your research and a plan in front of you, it can make the phone call a lot easier. Hit up the CNN Money link below for a few other reader-submitted tips. Photo by David Citron.